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How to build a lighthouse

The timber structure of the lighthouse going up. The photograph was taken from aboard the visiting vessel Cape Grafton, 24 March 1994. Image: Deborah Gillespie.

In 1993, the Australian National Maritime Museum was ready the rebuild the Cape Bowling Green Light. After some discussion, a site near the wharf was selected. Reconstruction of the lighthouse started in late 1993. This visual story shows how the lighthouse was rebuilt piece by piece at Darling Harbour.

Formwork for the lighthouse foundations, 1993. Image: ANMM.

The timber structure of the lighthouse going up. 1994. Image: ANMM.

The first level of timber structure on the new concrete slab, 30 August 1993. Image: Jenni Carter.

Riveting the iron cladding to the lighthouse exterior, 30 August 1993. Image: ANMM.

The timber structure of the lighthouse going up. The photograph was taken from aboard the visiting vessel Cape Grafton, 24 March 1994. Image: Deborah Gillespie.visiting vessel Cape Grafton, 24 March 1994.

Working high above the harbour, inside the timber structure of the lighthouse, 1994. Image: ANMM.

Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse reconstructed to the level of the platform and ready for the lantern room, June 1994. Image: ANMM.

Craning a section of the cast iron lantern room into place, 20 July 1994. Image: ANMM.

The lighthouse was reconstructed by participants in LEAP (Landcare and Environment Action Program). The scheme allowed young unemployed people to gain skills while delivering environmental and cultural heritage projects. We only have the names of a few of the participants. Twenty three years on, we’d like to know what memories they have of the project and what kind of effects it had on their lives. If you are one of the participants or know someone who was, we’d love to hear from you.

LEAP participants with supervisor Ted Potts (from the Sydney Maritime Museum, now Sydney Heritage Fleet). The group are pictured indoors working with crates and sections of the lighthouse prior to its reconstruction 1993. Image: ANMM.

LEAP team portrait, 13 May 1994. Image: ANMM.

Landcare and Environment Action Program (LEAP) participant working on the Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse reconstruction. His hard hat is labelled ‘Troy’, 13 May 1994. Image: ANMM.

Landcare and Environment Action Program (LEAP) participant working on the Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse reconstruction, 13 May 1994. Image: ANMM.

Landcare and Environment Action Program (LEAP) participant working on the Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse reconstruction, 13 May 1994. Image: ANMM.

Landcare and Environment Action Program (LEAP) participant working on the Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse reconstruction, 13 May 1994. Image: ANMM.

Landcare and Environment Action Program (LEAP) participant working on the Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse reconstruction, 11 April 1994. Image: ANMM.

Landcare and Environment Action Program (LEAP) participant working on the Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse reconstruction, 11 April 1994. Image: ANMM.